Introduction

Regardless of whether one lives in a developed or developing country and whether one is rich or poor, male or female, educated or not, we all live in a post-industrial, information-age society. We are also fortunate to live in an era of scientific achievement and technological progress, perhaps unequalled in human history, which has not only created the good standard of life many of us enjoy but also some of the problems we face. The achievements include:

• Waking up this morning to music from your cell phone. • Preparing breakfast in your microwave as you review the news on your computer,

which gives you nearly instant access to information that is orders of magnitude greater than the resources of most of the world’s libraries.